WINNER OF THE AKUTAGAWA PRIZE

'Usami so successfully depicts the consequences of pure obsession' Guardian
'Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what it is like to be a teenage girl' Catherine Prasifka

High-school student Akari has only one passion in her life: her oshi, her idol. His name is Masaki Ueno, best known as one-fifth of Japanese pop group Maza Maza. Akari's dedication to her oshi consumes her days completely - until he disgraces himself and Akari's world goes into a tailspin.

"Usami so successfully depicts the consequences of pure obsession" - * Guardian *

"A short but mighty novel that sheds a light on the world of superfans, obsession and the dangers of building your identity around a phenomenon that can disappear in a second . . . Usami's novel lifts the lid on the unique world of fandom and 'stan' culture in Japan" - * The Skinny *

"Compelling and unsettling in equal measure, Idol, Burning is a pitch-perfect insight into how confusing and exhausting modern life can feel to young women today." - * Buzz Magazine *

"Idol, Burning is a window into the world of teenage obsession and the dark places it can venture to . . . This is like nothing else I've read" - * Red *